Exchange with Alicante

EXchange 2017-18

The group from Alicante will be here from September 7 through 21, 2017! School starts on September 6, so we will all hit the ground running.Important dates:

June 9 - second check in the amount of $1000 made out to North Shore Schools.

September 7 - date of arrival of the group from Alicante!

September 8 - welcome breakfast in the cafeteria

September 21 - saying "hasta pronto" to the group

History of the exchange

Since the late 80s, North Shore High School has had an active exchange program with the city of Alicante.

​Every two years, our students have the opportunity to host a student from Instituto Playa San Juan in September and then experience Alicante for themselves in February.

​It is an exciting opportunity for our students to immerse themselves in the language and culture of Spain first-hand and begin cross-cultural friendships that will enrich their lives in high school and beyond.

Alicante

Alicante is a city of about 300,000 on the Mediterranean coast in Spain. It is a perfect sister city for North Shore because it provides extensive opportunities for our students to learn about Spain in a historic and touristic city.

In addition to Alicante, we will also travel to either Barcelona for several days and perhaps take a day trip to Madrid to acquaint ourselves with one of the two largest cities in the country. Our sister school usually arranges a day trip to Valencia.

The next exchange Experience

Our next opportunity for an exchange is September 2017 and February 2018.

Students who are interested and eligible* will be given an application in January 2017. Unfortunately, the amount of spaces available is determined by the amount of students coming from Alicante. Download a copy of the application PDF

*students must be enrolled in Spanish 4 or above and be a junior or senior the year the exchange takes place.

Your Spanish teacher will distribute an interest letter in early December. Please respond as soon as possible by giving the tear-off sheet to your teacher.

some questions you may have

Do I have to host a student?Yes. Since it is an exchange program, our students and the students in Spain are expected to host a student from the sister school.

How do you pair the students?Students are paired using the profiles the students in both countries provide. We look at academic preferences, hobbies, allergies, temperament, etc.

How many students are coming from Alicante?At this moment, it looks like they will have a group of 20 students. They will be coming from September ?? (usually the beginning of the month) and will stay until September ?? (usually two+ weeks).

Will everyone be able to go on the exchange trip?Unfortunately, the groups are limited by the amount of students they bring. If they bring 20 students in September, 20 students can go from North Shore.

How do you decide who goes?If you are interested, you will be given an application at the first meeting of interested students in January. The teachers who organize the trip, along with the other Spanish teachers and an administrator will choose the candidates based on academics (especially Spanish class), attendance, behavior, participation in Spanish class, teacher recommendations, etc. The World Language Student Eligibility Policy is the document that guides us in our decisions. PDF

How much does the exchange program cost?The approximate price for the 2016-17 exchange will be $2600. All expenses are covered. The money will be collected in three installments.

What are the dates of the trip to Spain?We will work out these details starting in September 2017, but we usually go in February before the winter vacation and return right before the vacation ends. The trip lasts about 2+ weeks. You will miss approximately 7 days of classes, but you will have an opportunity at the school in Spain to keep up with your work along with your classmates in the North Shore group.

What kind of student would benefit from an exchange trip?If you're open-minded, academically strong and interested in history, geography, art, language and new friendships, you will get a lot out of this trip.

What's the weather like in Alicante in February?In comparison with the weather in NY in February, Alicante is mild and sunny most of the time.

What is the food like in Alicante?Alicante is on the Mediterranean and offers abundant seafood, vegetables and fruit in the diet. The largest meal is eaten when the students return home from school after 3pm.

What about travel insurance?Travel insurance is included in the price. Since we work with a travel agency, once the tickets have been purchased, if you do not go on the trip, you will have to negotiate with the travel agency about reimbursement.

I have another question that's not on the listPlease email either Señora Soriano or Profesor Hance and we'll answer your question, and perhaps add it here too.

for future reference

exchange 2017-2018

Suggested Packing List:

Lots of T-shirts and sweaters/sweatshirts they can be layered

Very comfortable shoes for walking

A jacket for cold weather/rain

A scarf

An adapter for any electronics. It does not have to be a converter

All liquids and creams packed in the checked luggage

A small pack of disinfectant wipes and tissues

No hairdryers

How much money should you bring?

We suggest $500 for the whole trip, but it is up to the discretion of the parents. All meals will be covered , as well as all group expenses, however, any personal purchases for soft drinks, snacks and gifts are the responsibility of the individual student.

Is there a weight limit on the luggage and the number of pieces?:

You are permitted to bring one carry-on and one checked piece of luggage that cannot exceed 50 pounds, otherwise there is an additional cost that the student will have to pay.

We also recommend packing on the lighter side since the students will have to carry their luggage with them in several locations.